Where did you get that Hat?
Union Jack bicorn worn for a day by Duke of Wellington statue during 2012 festival comes to auction
One of the more unusual reminders of the London 2012 Festival comes for sale at Chiswick Auctions on October 12. An outsize hat worn for a day by the magnificent bronze equestrian statue of the Duke of Wellington is expected to bring £500-700 when sold as part of a sale of Autographs and Memorabilia.
Lot 3: Bennett (Ian).- 2012 London Olympics
Estimate £500 - £700
The so-called Hatwalk was held as London hosted the Olympic Games. On Monday, July 30, 2012, the capital awoke to see some of its best-known statues adorned with bespoke headwear. The famous likenesses of Lord Nelson, Queen Victoria, George IV, Franklin D Roosevelt and many others were wearing the sometimes whacky creations of 21 emerging and established British hat designers. Hatwalk, part of the London 2012 Festival, lasted just a single day but many of these outsize hats were saved for posterity. This bicorne made by Ian Bennett Millinery was commissioned by the Mayor of London’s office to style the Wellington monument in front of the Bank of England. The hat decorated with the colours of the Union Jack and a plume of red, white and blue feathers measures close to 1m across and his made primarily of moulded foam. It comes for sale from a vendor who bought it at a charity auction held by City Hall after the event. “I was invited by the Mayor of London to a dinner auction at the Guildhall. I was on his table and of course encouraged to bid when the hat came up for sale.”
If you have something similar and would like a free and confisdential valuation from our Autographs & Memorobilia Specialist Valentina, get in touch.
Valentina Borghi
020 3089 6861